If you’ve ever wondered how to make cold brew coffee at home, you’re not alone. Cold brew has become one of the most popular coffee drinks in the world because it’s incredibly smooth, naturally sweet, and much less acidic than traditional hot coffee.
The best part? You don’t need fancy equipment or expensive café gear. With a simple cold brew coffee recipe, a jar, coffee grounds, and water, you can create a delicious homemade cold brew coffee that tastes just as good—if not better—than what you’d buy at a coffee shop.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- The easiest DIY cold brew tutorial
- How to make cold brew coffee concentrate
- Tips for choosing the best cold brew coffee blend
- How to use simple easy cold brew coffee supplies
- And even how to make cold brew with Bodum
By the end, you’ll be able to sip cold brew coffee concentrate like a pro, right from your own kitchen.
Table of Contents
What Is Cold Brew Coffee
A cold brewed coffee recipe is very different from traditional iced coffee.
Instead of brewing coffee with hot water and cooling it down, cold brew uses cold water and time.
The process:
- Coffee grounds steep in cold water
- Brew slowly for 12–24 hours
- Strain to create smooth coffee concentrate
This slow extraction produces coffee that is:
✔ smoother
✔ naturally sweeter
✔ lower in acidity
✔ less bitter
According to coffee research from the National Coffee Association, cold brewing reduces acidity levels compared to traditional hot brewing.
Why Cold Brew Coffee Is So Popular
Cold brew has exploded on Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram for a few reasons.
Smooth Flavor
Because it’s brewed slowly, it extracts fewer bitter compounds.
Low Acidity
Many people find homemade cold brew coffee easier on the stomach.
Versatile Coffee Concentrate
You can use cold brew coffee concentrate to make:
- iced coffee
- iced lattes
- flavored coffee drinks
- coffee smoothies
Budget Friendly
Learning how to make cold brew coffee at home saves a lot of money compared to daily café purchases.
Easy Cold Brew Coffee Supplies
One reason cold brew is so popular is that it requires very simple tools.
Here are the most common easy cold brew coffee supplies.
Basic Supplies
- Large mason jar or pitcher
- Coarse ground coffee
- Filtered water
- Fine mesh strainer or coffee filter
Optional Tools
- French press
- Cold brew maker
- Bodum cold brew system
If you’re just starting, a jar and filter work perfectly.
Best Coffee for Cold Brew Coffee Blend
Choosing the right beans can make a big difference.
Medium Roast Coffee
Best for balanced flavor.
Dark Roast
Produces bold, chocolatey cold brew.
Cold Brew Coffee Blend
Many coffee brands now sell blends specifically made for cold brewing.
Look for:
- coarse grind
- chocolate or nutty flavor notes
- low acidity beans
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee (Step-by-Step Recipe)
Here is the easiest cold brew coffee recipe you can make at home.
Ingredients
- 1 cup coarse ground coffee
- 4 cups cold filtered water
Instructions
Step 1 — Add Coffee Grounds
Place coffee grounds into a large jar or pitcher.
Step 2 — Add Water
Pour cold filtered water over the grounds.
Step 3 — Stir
Gently stir to make sure all coffee is saturated.
Step 4 — Steep
Cover and let sit at room temperature for 12–18 hours.
Step 5 — Strain
Filter through a mesh strainer or coffee filter.
Step 6 — Chill
Store the cold brew in the refrigerator.
You now have homemade cold brew coffee concentrate.
Homemade Cold Brew Coffee
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add the coarse ground coffee to a large jar or pitcher.
- Pour the cold filtered water over the coffee grounds.
- Stir gently to ensure all the coffee grounds are fully saturated.
- Cover the jar and allow the coffee to steep at room temperature for 12–18 hours.
- Strain the coffee through a fine mesh strainer or coffee filter to remove the grounds.
- Transfer the cold brew concentrate to the refrigerator. Serve over ice and dilute with water or milk if desired.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!DIY Cold Brew Tutorial for Beginners
If you’re new to cold brew, keep these tips in mind.
Use Coarse Coffee Grounds
Fine grounds can make your cold brew muddy.
Use Filtered Water
Clean water improves flavor dramatically.
Adjust Strength
Cold brew concentrate is strong.
You can dilute it with:
- water
- milk
- oat milk
- almond milk
How To Make Cold Brew With Bodum
If you own a Bodum cold brew maker, the process becomes even easier.
Bodum Cold Brew Recipe
- Add coarse coffee grounds to the filter
- Pour cold water over the grounds
- Let steep 12–24 hours
- Press the plunger to filter
The Bodum cold brew recipe produces a very clean, smooth coffee concentrate.
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate
Cold brew is usually made as a concentrate, which means it’s stronger than regular coffee.
Typical ratio:
1 cup coffee : 4 cups water
To drink it:
Mix
- 1 part concentrate
- 1 part water or milk
This lets you easily sip cold brew coffee concentrate at your preferred strength.
Looking for another creative iced coffee idea? Try my maple tahini iced coffee for a unique twist on your homemade cold brew routine.
Ways to Sip Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate
Once you have concentrate, you can make many drinks.
Classic Iced Coffee
Cold brew + ice + milk.
Vanilla Cold Brew
Add vanilla syrup and milk.
Sweet Cream Cold Brew
Cold brew topped with sweet cream.
Cold Brew Latte
Cold brew concentrate + steamed milk.
Storage Tips for Homemade Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brew stores very well.
Refrigeration
Keep in an airtight container.
Shelf Life
Fresh for 5–7 days in the refrigerator.
Keep It Concentrated
Dilute only when serving to keep flavor fresh.
Is Cold Brew Coffee Healthy? Calories and Nutrition Facts
Cold brew coffee is often considered a healthier coffee option because of its lower acidity and simple ingredient list.
Calories in Cold Brew Coffee
Plain cold brew coffee contains:
- very few calories
- no sugar
- no fat
However, calories increase when adding syrups, cream, or sweeteners.
Is Cold Brew a Healthy Coffee Drink?
Cold brew can fit into a balanced diet when consumed in moderation.
Potential benefits include:
- lower acidity than hot coffee
- smooth flavor without sugar
- customizable strength
Is Cold Brew Good for Weight Loss?
Black cold brew coffee may support weight management because it is:
- low calorie
- naturally energizing
- often consumed without sugar
That said, sweet coffee drinks can quickly increase calories.
FAQ
What is the best coffee ratio for cold brew?
A common ratio is 1 cup coffee to 4 cups water for concentrate. For ready-to-drink cold brew, try 1:8.
How long should cold brew steep?
Cold brew typically steeps for 12–24 hours depending on desired strength.
Can you make cold brew without special equipment?
Yes. A jar, coffee grounds, water, and a filter are enough for a DIY cold brew tutorial.
Is cold brew stronger than regular coffee?
Cold brew concentrate is stronger, but once diluted it often has similar caffeine levels.
Can you buy cold brew concentrate instead?
Yes, many stores sell bottled concentrate if you prefer to buy cold brew concentrate instead of making it.
Conclusion
Learning how to make cold brew coffee at home is one of the easiest ways to upgrade your daily coffee routine. With just a few ingredients and simple easy cold brew coffee supplies, you can create smooth, refreshing homemade cold brew coffee that rivals your favorite café.
Whether you’re making a simple cold brewed coffee recipe, experimenting with a Bodum cold brew recipe, or preparing a strong cold brew coffee concentrate, the process is flexible, affordable, and incredibly satisfying.
Once you start brewing your own cold brew, you may never go back to store-bought coffee again.
Once you’ve made this homemade cold brew coffee, take it to the next level with my vanilla sweet cream cold brew, a smooth and budget-friendly coffee recipe that tastes like a café drink at home.
